Syd Krawczyk Blog

Watch your domain name - do not let it expire!

2011-04-21T10:43:00.000-07:00

A local Landscaping company let their domain name expire and recently hired me to build their new website. It turns out that one of their competitors saw their name was available and quickly registered it. The Landscape company had no idea that the web address on their flyers, business cards, and other material has been sending people to a competitors website for the last year.

I should also note - that when I go to this competitors website and try to call them - the number rings directly to a so-called "marketing company" - the person on the other end is always at a grocery store or you hear screaming children in the background.

So we have an unscrupulous marketing company and an equally dishonest landscape company. I have called and emailed, and have not yet heard back from the owner of the company - although the "marketing" person (who will not tell me the name of her company) claims she will talk to the owner and see if they will let me client have his name back.

They claim they thought my client was out of business - but if they would have bothered to make a phone call they would have seen that it was not the case.

We will see if the owner of the company does the right thing and transfers the name back to my client. If not - it won't be the end of the world - I have already registered the .net version of his name, and I will still get my client to the top of the search engines - the right way! The competitor put very little effort into their own site - and it's nothing more than poor design and a bunch of keywords on every page - which makes it highly irrelevant anyway - so it will just fade away.

The wonderful thing about the internet - it is a self cleaning oven - and sooner or later it will get rid of the garbage and reward the good websites.

As for losing domain names - this happened to another local company a couple years ago. They let their domain name expire and a company from China quickly registered it and told them they could have it back for $5,000.00.

If you use GoDaddy - they are very good about letting you know well in advance you have a domain coming up for renewal.

Unless you have a registered name, or can afford to pay a lawyer big bucks - there is not much you can do if someone takes your name. If you think there is even a chance you are going to use a certain name in the future - go ahead and register it. Also - make sure you get the .net and .org versions.

And one last thing - when hiring a wed designer, marketing person, or anyone - get references and ask to see their work - that will give you a good idea who you are dealing with!

Web Cramming And Free Websites

2011-02-17T05:06:00.000-08:00

Small businesses and non-profit groups can be targets for a billing fraud scam called web cramming.

Sometimes a "web Design" company will contact a business by phone and offer a free customized website. They tell the business owner that after 30 days or so a monthly fee of $20 to $30 dollars will be billed for hosting services.

Customers are automatically billed for this service even if they did not authorize it. The charges start appearing on their phone bill. One version of the scam involves companies that offer "rebate" checks, that when cashed, will transfer the customers internet service provider. this scheme generally binds you to a contract, such as a long-term agreement with severe penalties for withdrawing.

And of course the websites are terrible quickly produced template designs - full of mistakes, and cannot be edited.

No business can afford to have a poorly designed useless website. If will cost you much more than that low monthly charge. Be aware of the effect your site will have on potential clients - often times it is the first thing they see.

CDM Launches Local NuBarter Site

2010-10-13T09:08:00.000-07:00

Concept Digital Media is pleased to announce it has launched a Local NuBarter Website that will focus on Sarasota and Manatee Counties. In the past Concept Digital Media has helped other Franchise owners increase their business, including Cartridge World of Sarasota.

Why have a web designer create an additional website when you already have a “free one” through corporate?

Many franchise owners have found that the “corporate website” does little to help them in their particular territory – especially when local people may not be aware that a certain type of franchise that offers services they need even exists.

Having a “local” website is a great way to attract potential clients and serves as a access point for individuals in the immediate territory. This type of site can be a valuable means of promotion for the local franchise area, and serve the purpose of being a more personal and locally targeted source of relevant information for members that pertains more to their community than the corporate site is able to.

The site can feature a blog, press releases, and informative articles that can be a means to show what is presently taking place with the local franchise and members. It could serve as a way to spotlight certain members. It can be connected to various social media as a means of cross promotion of the franchise and company.

A great idea is to have testimonials by local members, and a featured section reminding members all of the great ways they can use their membership.

Plainly visible and easily accessible will be buttons and/or links that will take the visitor to the corporate site where they will be able to log in.

The site will have the same look and feel as the corporate site. Careful consideration will be taken to respect the Corporate logo and various copyrighted materials.

This site will not take the place of the corporate site but simply serve as an easier way to attract potential new members, and a more user friendly and personal experience for existing members.

Having a separate site that can be Search Engine Optimized for a specific area will benefit members, the franchise, and the parent company.

How to choose a web designer

2010-09-19T19:14:00.001-07:00

Every business needs a website. The questions is – how do you find the right web designer to take care of your internet presence? Will the web designer you choose take the time to know your business inside out, and be able to help bring you customers?

Unlike other traditional marketing strategies, a website has a global reach and can attract potential clients 24-7. Sometimes it’s hard for business owners to grasp the internets potential, but those who invest the time and money into a professionally built website will see the positive results immediately.

Unfortunately, sometimes it seems everybody and their brother claims to be a web developer. This is not a carefully regulated industry, you do not have to have a license to practice, and so many business owners just do not take the time to fully understand the potential effect a website can have on their business. There are even some business owners who make the important decision to hire a designer based on price alone.

There is no consistency or base line when it comes to web development companies – one company may charge $5,000 for a basic site while someone working out of their home with no overhead may claim to be able to do create a comparable site for a fraction of that amount. One day I passed a home with a sign in the yard that read :”Websites $400.00”.

With thousands of Web developers out there, ranging from individual freelancers to larger marketing and web design agencies, how can you make sure you choose the right one?

You need to decide what you want the website to do. Do you want a site that is nothing more than a glorified brochure? Maybe you are a small pizza restaurant and want to simply have a menu up on the internet. Of course, a properly designed and search engine optimized site will bring you more customers and more business, so you should always try to take advantage of all the internet has to offer. It is understandable that many businesses in this economy have limited budgets, so there is nothing wrong with starting small and having a plan to expand the site over a period of time until it is most effective. I would rather see a business do this than have no site at all.

So ask yourself what kind of information will you have on the site – what do you want to share with your visitors.

Remember – your website can be your single most important salesman – and he never sleeps. Many times your website will be the first thing a potential customer will see – so it is important to make a good first impression.

Those of us who are Web designers can spot another good web designer easily. But for the average person - choosing a professional can seem an overwhelming task.

Testimonials and referrals help greatly. If you are part of a Chamber of Commerce, or other networking group – ask around and talk to people who have worked with the designer you are considering hiring. If you use referrals and do your homework, you will have a much better chance of finding a designer who's right for you.

There are many designers who claim to be qualified but have no real experience. Some designers are great at creating beautiful graphics but do not have a clue when it comes to Search Engine Optimization. I actually know a business owner who asked his web designer to perform some SEO on his site – The designer refused to do the work and claimed he was only concerned with creating beautiful sites, and did not have time to waster on working with SEO.

Obviously you should ask to see examples of previous work. But also spend time talking with the web designer and make sure they are going to be the best person for your site, If you are a air conditioning contractor you probably don’t want someone who has only built restaurant websites.

Be clear about who owns the site once it is created. Some designers like to retain copyright, and can hold you hostage by not allowing you to edit or transfer your site. In my opinion - the site should belong to you no with conditions at all.

Facebook Common Sense

2010-05-16T15:00:00.000-07:00

#1 Use great passwords

A good password uses a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, symbols. A password should have at least eight characters. An example of a great password: Ke4%rdSs

#2 Nobody’s home…

Never mention that you will be away from home. Always be very vague about the date of any trip, or better yet – wait until you get back to tell everyone all about it.

#3 Don’t post your full birthday

The exact year month and day of your birthday could be a target for identity thieves. It is possible they could use it to obtain more information about you and potentially gain access to your bank or credit card account. If you must post your birthday – Use only the month and day.

#4 Privacy controls

Use privacy controls to limit access to only your friends, friends of friends, or yourself. Restrict access to photos, birth date, religious views, and family information. Of course it’s always a good idea to leave political and religious views off your Facebook page anyway – especially if your employer or potential clients may see it.

Be careful what contact info you post – and never use your address. If you have small children – never use their names in photo tags or captions!

#5 Everything you do and say, is on the internet to stay!

It is always best to not put anything on Facebook (or the internet for that matter) that you wouldn’t want your mother, employer, or a client see. In our “reality T.V.” world too many people feel the need to tell everybody all about themselves. Just remember – anything you put on the web is there forever! No matter how careful you are – sooner or later someone is going to see those embarrassing photos of you, and it’s always the last person you would ever want to see them!

A little bit of common sense goes a long way.

Stephen LeBlanc

2010-05-09T06:41:00.000-07:00

Stephen LeBlanc, owner of LeBlanc Studios here in Sarasota, needs our support. He is going to die without a liver transplant.

Although I do not have the pleasure of knowing him well personally, I am associated with several friends and colleagues of his, and have nothing but respect for the man.

But this weekend I found out he has been living with a pacemaker for twenty years, and dealing with Hepatitis C - which he got from a blood transfusion many years ago.

Late last year Stephen became ill. In just a few months, the hepatitis virus attacked his liver and in January he began being hospitalized for cirrhosis of the liver and has now suffered liver failure.

In a letter that was forwarded to me originating from Ginya Carnahan:

“Our mutual friend Stephen LeBlanc, owner of LeBlanc Studios (photography) and a longtime independent businessman in Sarasota has recently been accepted on Tampa General Hospital’s transplant list to receive lifesaving liver transplant.

His story is one of great challenge, strength and faith. Stephen was born a “blue baby” 50 some years ago in Texas. A congenitally malformed heart caused his blood to not be sufficiently oxygenated, giving him a blue cast. He was fortunate to be in Texas and received his first life-saving open heart surgery at the hands of Dr. Denton Cooley, who later became the “Grandfather” of cardiac surgery. But in the process of correcting his valve malformation, the muscles that power the heart were damaged and weakened over time. By the time he was 30, Stephen needed a cardiac pacemaker, and he has depended on one ever since.

Over the years, he had many surgeries and received blood transfusion many times. Unbeknownst to him or others, one of those blood transfusions was tainted with Hepatitis C virus. This was way before the blood transfusion industry had the ability to test for and destroy units of donated blood infected by Hepatitis C. He has been aware of his “Hep C positive” status for many years. The virus usually remains dormant in the body for years – but when it becomes active it attacks the body with a vengeance.

Although this knowledge was a weight upon his conscience, he didn’t let it stop him from living a full, active, giving life. For years he has worked out with weights and accomplished advanced competitive water skiing, including “barefooting.” In those days to see him you would think him a model of healthy living.

Late last year Stephen became aware that his normally healthy body was becoming ill. In just a few months, the hepatitis virus attacked his liver and in January he began being hospitalized for cirrhosis of the liver and has now suffering liver failure. He is going to die without a liver transplant.

Stephen has been very private about his condition and struggle up until now. He is a proud, brave, Christian man. Today, not only does he stand to succumb to this disease, even if he receives and survives a transplant he may lose his business. This is a man who was always gracious with his time and talents, donating portraits to many non-for-profits, supporting the Boys and Girls Club, holding seminars for young photographers at his studio and actively participating in his church. He is an exemplary husband and father to two wonderful children.

On top of two rough years because of economic forces, now he has been unable to work for months and has pared down his staff to a bare minimum. He is frightened for them and his family and is facing the unknown strengthen by his faith.

I have known Stephen for 15 years and like many of his friends I am asking what can I do for him? There is not much that one person can do – but there are things we can do as a community. We are holding an honorary blood drive in Stephen’s name on Saturday, May 22 at the Leblanc Studio (3103 Fruitville Road) from 10 am until 2 pm. The blood collected will not help Stephen directly but it will help replace the volume of blood he has received, at a particularly trying time for community blood supplies (Memorial Day weekend). We will also have representatives from LifeLink (the organ donation foundation) onsite to encourage people to sign up to be organ donors. This will not likely benefit Stephen directly either, but it will help someone unknown down the road who may be in Stephen’s situation.

And – we are in the process of opening a special bank account to receive monetary donations. I feel that if this story is told, our community will rally around Stephen and his family and help make this transition (however it unfolds) easier on them.”

So please join me and donate some blood – we may not be able to help Stephen directly – but we can help others like him.

Cell phone etiquette

2010-04-25T15:42:00.000-07:00

Are you talking very loud because the other person is hard of hearing or are you just trying to get attention by letting the world know that you will be home in 15 minutes? Listen pal, this is 2010 – and cell phones now do a pretty good job of getting your voice across – unless you bought it at Wal-Mart….

I always believed one of the greatest inventions was the answering machine – but what is it about cell phones that will make people stop in mid sentence and answer a call? And why do people think that just because you have a cell phone – they have the right to call you anytime they want? And why do people get so upset when you do not answer your cell phone?

You’ve heard of EMP (electromagnetic pulse) that will knock out electronics. I want a smaller version that just fries cell phones. I will use it the next time I am in a restaurant.

Ever notice when you are walking down the street – sometimes people will pull out a cell phone and pretend they are talking just so they don’t have to make eye contact?

Have cell phones become the new cigarette? Just something for people to do with their hands when they are bored – i.e. text, check email, etc….

Social media – or social mediocre?

2010-04-25T15:29:00.000-07:00

Social media is about connecting us to other people, and allowing us to access topics, information, and entertainment. It can also be just another distraction that decreases what little productivity there is to begin with. Never before in the history of man (or woman) have so many people had so much access to so much technology – but no idea how to utilize even the smallest fraction of it.
Word of advice: Like my grandfather always said “Don’t ever get a tattoo where the judge can see it” If you do end up diving into social media – just remember that everything you say and do will be on the internet forever!

2010-04-18T07:28:00.001-07:00

Never before in the history of man has so much technology been available to so many people who have absolutely no idea what to do with it.

2010-04-17T07:57:00.001-07:00

"Reality leaves a lot to the imagination." - John Lennon

2010-04-17T07:56:00.001-07:00

"A lie told often enough becomes the truth." - Vladimir Lenin

2010-04-17T07:53:00.003-07:00

"From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs." - Karl Marx

2010-04-17T07:53:00.001-07:00

"Democracy is the road to socialism." - Karl Marx

2010-04-17T07:51:00.001-07:00

“Outside a dog – a book is man’s best friend. Inside a dog – it’s too dark to read” – Groucho Marx

2010-04-03T10:15:00.001-07:00

IPad hits the stores today – yes kids - it’s yet another high tech distraction. Does anyone really need it? Wait 6 months – there will be something better coming out – the “IBox” – you crawl inside and totally shut yourself off from reality….

2010-04-03T10:04:00.001-07:00

Antisocial Media: In our anything goes reality TV world are too many people sharing too much information? The old saying was that “any exposure is good exposure” – but I don’t think that is true anymore. People lose jobs because employers see their drunken party photos on MySpace. Houses get robbed when people post that they are not home on face book. And you never know for sure who you are really talking to. Maybe it’s time for AntiSocial Media? Maybe we all should start being more mysterious?

ADFED 2010 Officers

2009-07-20T08:41:00.000-07:00

Published: Monday, Jul. 20, 2009

http://www.bradenton.com/business/names_and_faces/story/1584724.html

..."The American Advertising Federation-Suncoast recently installed its 2009-10 officers and board members.

Officers are Alice Fernandez of Grapevine Communications Advertising Agency, president; Keia Mastrianni of SEED Writing & Communications, first vice president and membership chair; Kara Poulin of Brave New World Consulting, second vice president and programs chair; Linda Council of Regions Bank, treasurer; and Syd Krawczyk of Concept Digital Media, secretary.

Board members are Elizabeth Blair of Webjunkees, Internet chair; Libbi Morgan of Libbi Morgan & Great Creative Co., sponsorship chair; April Irwin of SCTI, education chair; and Heather McLain of Clarke/Eric Mower & Associates, public relations chair. Christine Berstling will continue as executive director."

Fast Pitch

2009-07-16T07:45:00.000-07:00

If you or your business is in Sarasota county – you can use Fast Pitch at no charge. Simply go to this link to register: http://www.energizemybiz.com/

Fast Pitch! is for business professionals to network and market their business, press, blogs, events, and networks. It normally starts at $30.00 per month – but in Sarasota County it is free to join.

Fast Pitch is one of the fastest growing social networks for business professionals, Millions of businesses across the world are already connected.

GSCC Premier Volunteer

2009-06-23T10:59:00.000-07:00

SARASOTA, Fla. (June 17, 2009) –The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce recognized Syd Krawczyk with the Premier Volunteer Award at Sarasota Prime Time – exhibit • meet • greet Wednesday, June 17 in recognition of his outstanding volunteer service.

Syd Krawczyk was presented the Premier Volunteer Award for his significant volunteer contribution, leadership positions held, commitment to The Chamber and special achievements.

Syd Krawczyk is president of Concept Digital Media, Inc., which offers Web site design, photography and graphic art to Sarasota, Bradenton and the surrounding areas. A Chamber member since 2005, Krawczyk is active in various Chamber activities and committees. His committee involvement includes Chamber Partners serving on the PNL Steering Committee, chairing the new First Monday events and serving on the B.A.N.G (Business and Networking Groups) steering committee.

In addition to Syd's committee involvement, he also volunteers his professional photography services at various Chamber events.

The award honors a Chamber member for exemplary volunteer service within The Chamber and is based upon the level of volunteer contributions that the member has made and the degree to which the general membership has benefited. Many factors are examined in the review process such as number of hours volunteered, leadership positions held, special achievements and overall impact of the volunteer’s involvement and service.

Prime Time was hosted by the Sahib Shrine Center and featured 50 exhibitors as well as complimentary hors d'oeuvres provided by five Chamber member restaurants. The next Prime Time will be held at the Polo Grill & Bar September 16.

Need a website?

2009-06-17T11:47:00.001-07:00

Would you try to run a business without having a phone number where potential clients could reach you?

What about trying to offer a service and not having transportation to get to your jobs?

If you do not have a company website, you may be severely limiting your exposure to potential clients. You may work 60 hours a week – but your website will be up 24/7/365 as your company’s representative. You need a website that is informative, interactive, easy to navigate, and reflects your professional image.

Many people do not take a business seriously if they do not have a website – it’s just that simple. Unfortunately, if you have a bad website – it reflects poorly on you as well. It seems like everyone is claiming they do website design lately, so if you do need a website, please do a little homework before you hire someone to insure you get the best site possible for your budget.

Concept Digital Media, Inc. offers CAI members professional web design that grows with you and your company. We tailor our services to your specific needs because we understand all businesses are not alike. We can get you started with a basic website package and first year of hosting for as low as $500.00. Our flexible, and easily expandable web design platform, will change with your growing needs. We offer SEO, Social Media Optimization, Photography, and Graphic Art.

Please give me a call if you have any questions. As a small business owner myself – I like to see other businesses succeed, and it would be my pleasure to help you in any way I can,

- Syd

Prepare for Hurricane Season

2009-05-27T12:19:00.001-07:00

Hurricane Season is just around the corner - make sure you and your family is prepared.

Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your home. In certain circumstances the safest areas may not be your home but within your community.

Pick an alternate meeting place in case your home cannot be reached

Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact, so all your family members have a single point of contact.

Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911.

Know how to disconnect/switch off all utilities

Install smoke detectors and test them on a regular basis to ensure that they are working properly

Take a first aid course

Make plans for anyone in your family who may have special needs: (e.g. the elderly or small children) and also for your pets.

Have a family disaster kit - Always store your kit in a convenient place and in an easy-to-carry bag:

· Water: store water in plastic containers, 1 gallon of water per person for each day, allowing for up to 3 days.

· Food: store non-perishable food and ready-to-eat canned meats and vegetables, juices, soups, and high energy foods (e.g., peanut butter, nuts and dry cereals, candy, coffee and tea, sugar, salt, vitamins, biscuits).

· First-aid kit: bandages, adhesive tape, scissors, needles, antiseptic, pins, latex gloves and cleaning agents. Also include all prescribed medicine and non prescription medicine for pain, anti diarrhea antacid, laxative and something which may be used for poison control (e.g., syrup of ipecac or activated charcoal).

· Tools and supplies: battery operated radio and batteries, flashlight, tape, needles and thread, plastic sheeting, paper and pencil, matches (keep in water proof container), whistle, can opener, fire extinguisher, garbage bags.

· Personal hygiene products: toilet paper, feminine supplies, disinfectant, chlorine bleach, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

· Clothing, shoes and bedding.

· Important family documents should be kept in a safety deposit box along with a complete home asset inventory. If a safety deposit box is unavailable - documents should be kept in a water proof, portable container: including wills, insurance policies, deeds and stocks, passports, bank account details and credit card information, as well as other family records, such as birth/marriage certificates.

Remember: practice the family plan and maintain the supply kit, by rotating your food and water supplies and by regularly checking your batteries.

Importance of an asset inventory

2009-05-23T12:25:00.000-07:00

Even with everything insured, without an asset inventory -- especially one that is itemized with video and photos, you could spend months fighting with the insurance company for reimbursement or replacement of missing items. In a perfect world we would be able to go to the insurance office, insure our residence and belongings for "x" amount of dollars, and that would be good enough. However, the reality is that in the event of a loss, the insurance company will want to see detailed proof of that loss.

Most of us never complete an asset inventory. Yet we continue to accumulate, buy newer equipment, upgrade entertainment systems, inherit antiques and family heirlooms, acquire artwork, etc; often storage units are a necessity. The distressing thing is – few of us could sit down and remember everything we own of material value if we had to, let alone supply sufficient information for an insurance company.

What if you lose your home and valuables? What if a thief invades your business and wipes out years of hard work.

Everyone who owns a computer knows the value of a recent backup in case of a crash. Similarly, you can rely on an asset inventory report that includes the make, model and serial number, and copies of receipts. This report can also be stored with your other important documents such as deeds, birth certificates, and account information, in a safety deposit box. The asset inventory can maximize insurance benefits, determine if you are under or or over insured, facilitate theft recovery, or be used for pre-nuptial and divorce arrangements. Most of all, a detailed asset inventory creates peace of mind. If you don't have a camcorder, camera, or the time - (or even if you do) using a third party asset inventory service is an excellent idea and an easy way to validate your belongings to an insurance company.
A good asset inventory service is licensed, bonded and insured and offers a certified report that includes photos and a digital copy with video on a CD/DVD. The one-time cost of an average third party asset inventory is usually less than what most people pay a year for car insurance.

Please make sure you have sufficient insurance and are covered in the case of fire, flood, hurricane, or theft.

Getting ready for hurricane season by doing a home inventory

2009-05-23T12:07:00.000-07:00

Insurance companies advise homeowners to have a current inventory of their assets. If you do not supply your insurance agent with an inventory - there is the possibility that you may be over or under insured, or you may not have the correct type of insurance. Many items such as cameras, firearms, and jewelry are only covered up to a certain amount and require a separate policy to be fully covered.

Insurance companies require "proof of loss" before settling a claim. If you have an up-to-date inventory - you will have that proof.

Be prepared for Hurricane season and other disasters - create a detailed asset inventory list and a "walk through video" of the home or business, and digital photographs of your home or business property and individual contents. You can also scan receipts, insurance information, and other important documents for transfer to digital medium for safe storage.
A good idea would be to store this information in a safety deposit box.
In the event of a fire, hurricane, or theft you should be able to recover financially by receiving a quick settlement from your insurance company. Having an updated inventory eliminates the burden of proof insurance companies require before settling a claim.

Customer service

2009-05-22T07:46:00.000-07:00

It is very annoying that lately I have come to realize that most people and businesses I have to deal with on a continuing basis simply cannot do their jobs. It seems like everyone has lost the capacity for problem solving, and are either possessing sub normal intelligence for an above average capacity for indifference.

Take Verizon for example. Almost a year ago I called them a month in advance to tell them I was moving and asked that they connect the service to the new place at least 2 weeks before I was to move. To make a long story short – 3 different technicians were never able to figure out how to get the DSL working , They tried to bill me for three months of service I never had, and a year later I still have not been refunded my money for the modem I sent back.

Customer service is nonexistent - it’s really only customer placation. “we’ll take care of this right away for you”, “I’ll let me manager know about your problem – and he’ll get right back to you”, or “we are so very sorry and understand your frustration, we are working hard to come up with a solution”.

The last 2 weeks I have been having problems with IX web hosting, and every time I create a trouble ticket – I get the same generic response back.

”I'm very sorry for such inconvenience. We are much concerned about our service level we provide and doing all our best to keep our servers on appropriate state.

Our system administrators have worked on the problem and it has been fixed completely. Please check your websites once again, everything is fine from my end and with the servers. We do not expect any further problems to occur as a direct consequence of this problem. Thank you for your understanding and patience.If you will need our assistance further, do not hesitate to contact us anytime, we are available 24/7.”

The problem has not been “fixed completely” –(as opposed to fixed partially?) – they obviously are not concerned about their service, and what does “doing all our best to keep our servers on appropriate state.” even mean?

They even thank me in advance for my understanding and patience. I understand that I need to be patient while I look for another hosting company.

The list goes on and on – auto mechanics who can’t fix cars, printers that can’t get their colors correct, and forget about getting any electronics fixed – everything is disposable – they just replace it.

In a world where nobody knows how to do anything because they spend all their time trying to figure out how to make the latest high tech gadget work, it is truly good to run across a true professional occasionally.

If you are fortunate to find someone who truly excels at what they do, and just doesn’t offer empty promises and apologies, please get the word out – there aren’t many of them around!

Creating something unique

2009-05-19T08:46:00.001-07:00

“those who strive too much to be shocking and original only end up being boring and similar to those they try to set themselves apart from, on the other hand those who borrow all the best bits from their peers and improve upon them - sometimes end up creating something remarkably unique”

Salvador Dali once said the reason he was a great painter was because he took all the best techniques from the masters and made them his own.

The Easy Button

2009-05-15T14:53:00.000-07:00

The easy button isn’t always the best way to go.
There are certain companies out there who claim they do design and coding, SEO, e-commerce, hosting, etc – and in fact they are farming the work out to subcontractors. Using another company for web hosting is one thing – but why would anyone trust their website development to someone who sells promotional items or prints t-shirts?
I prefer to work closely with my clients and develop their sites. To properly manage the SEO, and social media, I need to know quite a bit about a company, and be in constant contact with them. That is impossible to do if I am working as a subcontractor.
I do not think it is wise for any business to use a “middle man” for something as important as a web site. Everybody loves the easy button! It would be nice if you could make just one phone call to manage all aspects of your business like bookkeeping, advertising, lawn maintenance, vehicle repair, or printing. Unfortunately things don’t work that way.
Just remember – never eat at a restaurant if the menu has Italian, Chinese, Mexican, and American on it – that is a sure sign that none of the food is going to be good!
You need a web designer who is on top of things. One that will make sure your site is always updated with the newest software versions, One that will keep on top of security, and will be available if anything goes wrong. Most important you need a web designer who keeps current with SEO and Social Media Optimization. If you ask your web designer what 2.0 is – and they don’t know – run away as fast as you can….
Would you ask your plumber to take out your appendix? If you hire someone to handle your website project who does not know the first thing about website design you are asking for trouble.

May First Monday event

2009-05-05T11:46:00.000-07:00

Last night the Greater Sarasota Chambers “First Monday” event was sponsored by Esca on Main Street. Probably 100 or more people showed up for some great networking! It was a fantastic evening – everyone had a good time, in fact some of us ended up hanging out until almost 9:00.

The music was provided by the Michael Finley Band. Michael on drums and Dean Miller on Acoustic guitar – those guys are great!

I’ve been coordinating First Monday for over a year now, and it has turned out to be a very successful networking event. In June we’ll be at Lakewood Ranch Dental - the event will be catered by Sarasota Catering – and that is sure to be a real treat!

The role of the photographer

2009-02-26T09:14:00.000-08:00

The role of the photographer has changed dramatically with the advent of the digital revolution. Equipment and software are constantly changing, and people expect much more from a photographer than just someone who takes photos. My goal is to capture life at its most beautiful, to give other people a glimpse of what I see when I look through the lens. I want to not only capture a moment in time – but the feeling, the atmosphere, the energy of that moment.

We live in a visual society, and are continuously bombarded with images everywhere we turn. We have been overwhelmed and numbed by the incredible amount of mediocrity we are exposed to on a daily basis. From reality television to assembly line art, the image has been diluted. There will always be a place for art. Whether most will admit it or are even aware of it – our world is held together by art. Culture is the glue that binds our society, and in an absence of art – our world will crumble and decompose.